We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home making breakfast when suddenly, I received a message prompt from Mpesa showing that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I could not believe my eyes, I was overwhelmed with happiness because I knew that I would be able to accomplish the goals that I had. I then shared the good news with my mother in law who coincidentally was a beneficiary too. we embarked on planning when to withdraw our transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have been able to accomplish my dreams in a short period. Buying a dairy cow for my family is a lifetime achievement and a great milestone that I never thought that I would have accomplished in a short time due to financial constraints. I am grateful to the organization for putting smiles on our faces and for transforming our living standards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a consistent farmer and a casual worker blessed with two children. When I received my money I opted to buy a dairy cow worth KES 35,000 to reduce the cost of buying milk daily. This is because we have been buying milk daily which is expensive yet I don't have a reliable source of income. I was unable to afford one before due to financial constraints as a result of school fees responsibilities. I then used KES 10,000 in buying iron sheets so that I would be able to build a house once I receive my second transfer Lastly, I bought foodstuffs and clothes with the remaining amount of the transfer. I am so grateful for the milestones that I have achieved in a short time
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I got married 5 years ago, my then-husband built a single room house that has been serving as the kitchen, living room as well as bedroom. This space is congested and I have for quite sometime now, wished to construct a more spacious house for my family of 3. Unfortunately, finances have proven it a challenge as the KES 200 I earn daily from the casual jobs such as digging, weeding and harvesting crops, exclusively catering for the food for the household and I have no surplus. When I receive these transfers, I plan to utilize KES 40000 to construct a two-roomed house to accommodate my family henceforth, I will be excited that they will have a comfortable shelter.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In January 2022, I was constantly engaged in cultivating peoples farms in the village since it was the peak season for farming. Lucky enough, there was no single day, I lacked work to do and I am glad that I was able to purchase enough food to last the household the entire month. All glory to God for we never slept hungrily.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Raising 2 toddlers singlehandedly without a stable source of income is a challenge I am currently facing. When I got married 5 years ago, I thought my life struggles will come to an end for I found a supporter, woe unto me! It was the beginning of a lifetime struggle. We stayed with my husband for barely a year, when he decided to fend for the family. Little did I know that was the last time I could see him, he went for good. It puzzles me what I will tell my children when growing up and ask me of their father's whereabouts.
